Red tape bars many top students from the Chinese dream

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Tsinghua University freshmen receive a welcome from fellow students. In 2012, Peking and Tsinghua universities -- the Harvard and Yale of China, respectively -- allocated 661 spots for Beijing students, and 287 from Shandong, even though there were 7 1/2 times more test takers from Shandong.

Tsinghua University freshmen receive a welcome from fellow students. In 2012, Peking and Tsinghua universities -- the Harvard and Yale of China, respectively -- allocated 661 spots for Beijing students, and 287 from Shandong, even though there were 7 1/2 times more test takers from Shandong. (AFP/Getty Images)

Tsinghua University freshmen receive a welcome from fellow students. In 2012, Peking and Tsinghua universities -- the Harvard and Yale of China, respectively -- allocated 661 spots for Beijing students, and 287 from Shandong, even though there were 7 1/2 times more test takers from Shandong.